Spreadsheet-based DSS Project Overview

The Spreadsheet-based DSS Project (100 points) is an opportunity for students to work together on a team with 2-3 other students to apply their DSS design and development skills using Excel on a small-scale DSS. During the semester students will work on a voluntary team to develop a model-driven, spreadsheet-based DSS to assist in project cost estimating and bidding.

Teams should pick an industry minicase situations and then research, plan and develop a specific DSS for that situation. The situation must involve developing a DSS for forecasting the cost of a project and preparing a competitive bid to submit to the

person requesting the project proposal. The specific DSS should support a person working as a cost estimator or bid specialist or similar job title. In general, cost estimators "develop the cost information that business owners or managers need to make a bid for a contract or to determine if a proposed new product will be profitable."

Possible industry minicase situations

Construction cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS should assist in preparing a bid for construction of a new, single family residence, construction of an office or commercial building or other significant construction domain.

Convention and meeting cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS should assist in preparing a bid for hosting a convention in a mid-sized convention center, or for hosting a meeting in a hotel resort convention facility, or for hosting a major event on a university campus.

Software project cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS should assist in preparing a bid in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for developing an application program or a Web site from a variety of organizations.

In these industry situations "estimators compile and analyze data on all the factors that can influence costs—such as materials, labor, location, and special requirements, including computer hardware and software."

The specific model-driven DSS that is developed should help an estimator input data, apply a detailed quantitative estimating model, conduct sensitivity and "what if" analyses, and prepare a formal bid proposal.

Last updated by D. Power on Friday, January 17, 2003.